Monthly Archives: March 2016

Take a Peek into Canberra Balloon Spectacular 2016

About the Festival

Celebrated over a period of 9 days, Canberra Balloon Spectacular is held at the Lawns of Old Parliament House in Parkes, near the National Library of Australia. It is not only one of the best but also one of the longest running hot-air ballooning festivals in the world.

Balloon

The 2016 Canberra Balloon Spectacular will commence on 12th March, and will run for a period of nine days until 20th March. The events start early morning at 6:15 when the pilots start inflating the individual balloons before making them rise in the air. Needless to say, this creates a breathtaking spectacle in the sky. Every year, Canberra Balloon Spectacular features balloons with a special shape or theme. This year too, the festival will add some special themed balloons. For instance, there will be a balloon inspired from the famous animated movie “UP” by Disney and Pixar.

Getting to the Festival

There are a number of ways by which you can reach the festival. Airlines such as Virgin Blue and Quanta offer flights to and from the different capitals in the country. However if you are driving, Canberra won’t disappoint you as the routes are scenic. Reaching the venue in the city itself is without any hassles as there are hardly any traffic problems. Travelling intercity by public transport such as Countrylink trains and commuting by ACTION bus within the city is easy as well as pocket-friendly.

Other Tips

Parking facilities are good at Parliamentary Zone. If you are travelling by bus, check out ACTION bus routes and timetables on their official website. You can buy delicious breakfast from the Belconnen Lions Club during the event. You can also buy food items and hot beverages such as coffee and Dutch pancakes. Remember to get your camera to capture the mesmerising spectacles of the balloons flying in the sky. Remember to dress up in warm clothing as the mornings are colder than the rest of the day.

Top Three Highlights of Autumn in Australia

Autumn brings different shades of colour to different parts of Australia. Whether you love to admire the striking foliage of wine red and sepia and like to laze around on the beach or step out for an outdoor adventure – the autumn months in Australia are just perfect for almost everything.

australia

Unlike the countries that lie in the Northern Hemisphere, autumn in Australia starts from March and ends in May. If you are planning to book tickets for an overseas holiday, Australia could be the perfect place for you. Have a look at some of the top draws in Australia during autumn.

Swim with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo

Whale sharks flock to Ningaloo every year with the commencement of autumn. You can go on boat trips far out to the sea, while a spotter-plane explores the sea for whale sharks. Once they are spotted, the boat is taken to that location and then you can either choose to see the sharks from the boat, or go snorkelling to see these massive creatures up-close.

Visit Margaret River

Margaret River, situated in the south-western part of Western Australia, is at its best during autumn. The warmth of the sunny days and smaller crowds makes autumn the perfect time to visit the river. It’s a good place for a family picnic as well as solo hiking trips.

Admire the Colours of autumn at Blackwood River Valley

If you are a photography enthusiast or an artist, you will love the Blackwood River Valley. Deciduous trees line the streets and also adorn the gardens and parks around the area. In the months of April and May, the leaves on the deciduous trees start changing colours; from orange to red and finally, to yellow, before falling off and covering the areas in hues of red and yellow. One of the best places to go to see this amazing spectacle is the Balingup Tree Park which has a large variety of trees from all across the globe.

Walk Back in Time at the Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary

Introduction

If you are planning to buy tickets for a family holiday to Canada, you should definitely keep aside a couple of days to visit the Heritage Park.

Calgary

Situated about a twenty minute drive from Calgary, the Heritage Park has more than 180 exhibits and attractions that throw some light on the victories, challenges and overall way of life of the various generations of people who made Western Canada their home. Heritage Park is home to more than a thousand historical materials from Western Canada.

Events

Different attractions aren’t the only highlights of this fun filled theme park. A number of other factors such as guided tours, demonstrations and live performances contribute in adding extra zing and zest to the atmosphere. It is said that no two days at the Heritage Park are the same. Every day, various costume-clad interpreters amuse as well as explain the visitors about the economic, cultural and social scenario in the past which led to the development of Western Canada.

Food & Dining

With so many things to see and do, one surely gets tired. The Heritage Park has a plethora of restaurants, eateries, parlours and saloons specialising in a number of different delicacies which bring back the tastes of the old times. Find out about the various flavours that have passed through extremely harsh tests of time. Some of the most prominent establishments are Ticket Booth, Alberta Bakery, Wainwright Hotel, Railway Café, Gunn’s Dairy Barn, Club Café and one of the hot favourites, Selkirk Grille. After filling up your belly with vintage dishes, head over to the Vulcan Ice Cream Parlour for ice-creams that were a rage in the past.

Self-Guided Walking Tours

If you want to go on walking tours on your own, you may try out self-guided walking tours that allow you to explore the area freely. The unique exhibits and attractions of the Heritage Park mark the history of Western Canada from the 1860s all the way to the 1950s. Here it seems that the iconic history of Canada has not just been preserved but actually brought back to life. The self-guided walking tour features some of the most admired exhibits. Alternatively, you can also download the audio guide in seven different languages from around the world.

Sightseeing and Other Things to Do in New York City

New York City, one of the world’s greatest cities, is full of exciting attractions and activities. True to its dynamic nature, the Big Apple seems to be getting all the more interesting overtime for both residents and visitors.

new-york-city

Apart from the usual attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, there are a number of other places to see and things to do in New York City.

Attend the Broadway Shows

Contrary to popular belief, Broadway shows are not just for adults, but for the kids as well. In fact, there are specific shows for the little ones. Classics such as Cinderella, Aladdin, and Finding Neverland as well as popular new generation shows such as Spider-man and Newsies promise a whale of a time. All the shows are subject to change, hence we recommend, you visit the official website for details, show timings and the price of the tickets.

Explore Central Park

Central Park is one of the iconic landmarks of the city, frequented by residents and tourists alike. You can take a carriage ride, go cycling, picnic by the lake, or simply take a leisurely stroll. During summer, a number of events such as theatre performances, band concerts and other cultural shows are organised in the park and draw large crowds. The regular chess and book clubs meet regularly for book reading sessions or rounds of chess.

Get Amazed at the American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History is a popular place for families where you can witness some of the most breathtaking exhibits. From the gigantic dinosaur skeleton to the colossal replicas of various creatures such as whales, sharks, elephants, and polar bears – this place is stunning indeed. The museum is truly enormous with 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 exhibition halls.

Solve Nature’s Mysteries at the New York Hall of Science

Kids simply love this place as it is not one of those typical no touching the exhibit museum. On the contrary, kids are encouraged to touch the various interactive exhibits here. Not just kids, but even adults will be thrilled by the different hair rising exhibits.

Go Bananas at the Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo is the biggest urban zoo in the world and is home to over 600 different species of beasts from all across the globe. The exhibition includes 4 zones, including Tiger Mountain, the Wild Asia Monorail, Congo Gorilla Forest and the latest addition, Madagascar!